Richard & Gayle Crain

Richard and Gayle Crain have served as National Concert Band Festival coordinators for fourteen years, as well as constant resources for Bands of America programs. They have both also attended the Honor Band of America tours to Europe and Japan in 1997 and 1999 respectively. Richard currently serves as a frequent clinician, adjudicator, lecturer, and evaluator of music programs throughout the U.S. and Canada. He currently serves on a number of national musical organizations. He is Vice-President of the Midwest Clinic Board of Directors, serves as Executive Secretary of Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity, and has served as President of the Texas Bandmasters Association, Alpha Chapter of Phi Beta Mu, and the Texas Music Adjudicators Association. Richard has been honored as Texas Bandmaster of the Year from the Texas Bandmasters Association and as Outstanding Music Educator from NFIAA. Spring High School, Spring, TX honored him with the naming of the Richard C. Crain Fine Arts Building. Before becoming a full-time music industry liaison, Richard served as the Director of Music for 21 years for the Spring Independent School District, Director of Bands at Spring H.S., and previously at Westfield H.S., and Belton H.S. in Texas.

Gayle Crain has been the NCBF Festival Coordinating Assistant since 1991 and has served in education for over 40 years. Gayle was a member of the Board of the Texas Bandmasters Spouses for seven years and is a Past President. She worked with Richard in organizing and running the Region 9 UIL Music Contests in Texas from 1994 to 2005 and provides accounting services to Phi Beta Mu International Bandmasters Fraternity. Prior to becoming a music education advocate on an almost fulltime basis, Gayle taught numerous business and English classes in Texas colleges and secondary schools for 25 years. She was awarded the Outstanding Occupational/Technical Teacher award by the Spring ISD in 1990, was elected to the state Board of the Vocational Office Education Teachers Association of Texas, and served as Secretary of the state Board of the Office Education Association of Texas. Gayle is listed in the National Hall of Honor of Phi Theta Kappa national honor fraternity. She is named in the Who's Who of Women Executives and has received several awards from the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, where she served as the Alumni Director, member of the Alumni Board, President of the Alumni Association, and on numerous committees. Gayle was formerly Chairman of the Business Department at Klein Oak High School, Klein ISD, was Coordinator of the Office Administration Program at Westfield High School, Spring ISD, and was promoted from Business Instructor to Director of Financial Aids and Placement at Temple College.